PROLOGUE: "If you allow people to make more withdrawals than deposits in your life, you will be out of balance and in the negative! Know when to close the account."
Christie Williams .
FLEADH BY THE FEALE: The annual Fleadh takes place this year from Thursday, April 28 –Tuesday, May 3. Highlights this year are the celebrity concert with Mary Black, storytelling with Daisy Kearney, All Ireland Bone Playing competitions for U 18 and Adults, busking on the Main St., the gig rig in the Square with free entertainment Saturday and Sunday night, the set ceili in Fr. Casey’s, Master Workshops, sessions all over town and much much more. Headlining the Celebrity Concert sponsored by Kostal Gmbh Mountmahon is the fabulous Mary Black and her band. She is currently on tour with her ‘Down the Crooked Road Tour’ but is joining us Sunday May 1 at 8pm in Coláiste Ide & Iosef in Abbeyfeale for what will be a great night’s entertainment. Tickets for the Celebrity Concert are €30 and are on sale from Slice of Life, Main Street Abbeyfeale 068 32655, Abbey Tiles Main Street on 068 31109, John O’Sullivan on 086 3165848 and Celine McNally on 087 7697672. Full details of this unmissable weekend are available on the Fleadh website www.fleadhbythefeale.com, on Facebook/Fleadh by the Feale, or by emailing fleadhbythefeale@gmail.com. Mark it in the diary now and join us for the May Bank Holiday weekend.
TWO COLLECTIONS THIS WEEKEND: The annual church gate collection in aid of Community Alert will take place at all Masses this weekend and unfortunately is coinciding with Pope Francis’s request for a collection to be taken up at all Masses for the Ukraine Humanitarian Initiative. We are unable to get a permit for a different weekend and so will have to hold ours too.
STRICTLY COME DANCING HITS ABBEYFEALE: 13 couples will take to the floor on Sunday, May 8 for an extravaganza of dance from the sedate foxtrot to the sexy tango and all genres in between. . A selection of the best movers in Tournafulla, Duagh, Mountcollins, Abbeyfeale and surrounding areas have come together under the umbrella of Fealeside Strictly Come Dancing with the intention of raising funds to support our local community. It’s all happening in the Devon Inn with doors opening at 6.15pm and show beginning at 7.30pm sharp. Tickets at €20 are available all over town from The Hair Company, to Betty’s Hair Salon to Moss the Farmers, Eurosavers, Esther’s Boutique and more. There will be a mega door prize, entertainment at the interval and it will all be followed by a Disco with music from the 60’s to the present day so promises to be a great night. Chief Judge Micheal Healy Rae will be joined on the judging panel by Mayor of Limerick Cllr. Liam Galvin, Anglela O’Rourke, The Square and yours truly.
REMEMBERING Zoë CYCLE CHALLENGE 2016: The annual "Remembering Zoë" cycle challenge in memory of 8 year old Zoë Scannell who died tragically in June 2014 takes place on Sunday, May 15 next. The Cycle event will raise much needed funds for child focussed charities and facilities for children. This year’s beneficiaries are Make a Wish foundation, Community Games, Hope Foundation and Abbeyfeale Town Park Playground. This year’s challenge consists of 3 cycle routes, 110Km, 75Km and 40Km. Routes and distances to suit all cyclists from beginners to advanced. All participants will receive a special edition Finishers Medal. Catering facilities before and after at Abbeyfeale GAA clubhouse, food stop/refreshments on all routes, parking onsite/close by and shower facilities available. Registration for the three routes 110km, 75km and 40km will take place at Fr. Casey’s Friday May 13 from 6-9pm and on Sunday, May 15 from 7.30am. Further information from John 087 2258808 or Tom 087 6820506. The remembering Zoe Family Fun Day will be held on Sunday, July 3 next and then on the August Bank Holiday weekend runners are sought for a once in a lifetime experience when The Remembering Zoë Relay run to Dublin for Make a Wish Foundation will take place.
WHAT IS SOCIAL FARMING: Social farming is an innovative response that combines multifunctional agriculture and social and health care services. An INTERREG-funded project undertaken in the border region of Ireland and Northern Ireland with 20 farm households piloted services for 66 people over a 30 weeks period and learned lessons from the experience. Evidence gathered through the project indicates real and lasting benefits for people with special needs and people experiencing poor mental health as well as for the farm households involved. It also indicated that such services provided on farms are cost-effective when compared to cost of care in the public services. (Kinsella, J et al., (2014). Costs and Benefits of Social Farming: Report of the Social Farming across Borders Project. University College Dublin). Are you interested in learning more about Social Farming? There is an information workshop for anyone who might be interested including farmers, service providers, and service users & their parents, on Thursday, April 28 from 10am – 1pm in West Limerick Resources offices. Call 06966293 for further information.
VERY WELL DONE: Congratulations and well done to Fr Casey’s U14 boys who won the Féile County Final on Sunday, April 17 and who will be participating in the Féile National Finals on the last weekend of June. To add to the sense of occasion Fr Casey’s and families throughout the Parishof Abbeyfeale will be hosting an U14 Girls team from Antrim and an U14 Boys
team from London who are also participating in this major event.
FEALE FIT NOTES: Well done to all Fealefit & St Ita’s Ac members that ran the Dingle Running festival over the weekend & best of luck to all taking part in the Great Limerick Run over the coming weekend especially our little athletes taking part in Saturday’s kids run!
All Fealefit event training is free of charge and open to all levels of fitness…see www.Fealefit.com for all details on training & Upcoming events or Contact Shane 087 2891015 Kadie 087 7771552!!
INVASIVE SPECIES FIELDTRIP: West Limerick Resources will be running a half day fieldtrip to see first-hand the impact of invasive species in West Limerick on Tuesday May 31. This will include training on identification but will look in more depth at the practical steps involved in appropriately maintaining areas affected by invasive species including site inspection, risk assessment, monitoring and correct removal techniques where appropriate. Open to members of local tidy towns groups, CE schemes or others involved in environmental enhancement work including trails management. Passengers can be collected from Newcastle West and Abbeyfeale. Free of charge but limited places available. To book contact Michelle on 069 61540 or email MMcCarthy3@wlr.ie. Supported under Local Agenda 21.
TABLE QUIZ TO AID SYRIAN REFUGEES: A table quiz to aid Syrian refugees will take place at Thomas T.J’s, New St. on Friday, May 20. Quiz Master Lorcan Curtin. A raffle for a mega hamper will also be held on the night. All funds to the Red Cross who work in the refugee camps. We hope that you will support us and even if you’re not into quizzes come along for a chance to take home the hamper.
ABBEYFEALE HORSE AND PONY COMMITTEE: An invitation to new members has been issued by the committee. If you would like to get involved please contact Toddy 087 2029395.
FAMILY CARERS IRELAND: They are providing the QQI Level 5 Care of the older person module in Georges Quay, Limerick on May 3.
PIETA HOUSE DARKNESS INTO LIGHT 5 K WALK/RUN: Starting from the Community Centre, Newcastlewest at 4.15am on Saturday, May 7. Registration at Feale Fit on Saturday, April 30 from 10-12 noon or 2 – 4pm.
SPEECH & LANGUAGE WORKSHOP: West Limerick Resources is offering a FREE Speech and Language workshop in St. Ita’s Hall, Abbeyfeale on Tuesday, May 3 from 11am to 12pm. Facilitated by the Speech and Language Clinic, this workshop is open to all parents of toddlers and those working with children. If you have a concern regarding your child’s speech this is the ideal place to explore your concerns. Please contact Mary on 087 9382883 for further information.
DYSLEXIA WORKSHOP: A FREE Workshop on Dyslexia will be delivered by the Dyslexia Association of Ireland and will examine how to get an assessment and what it means, encouraging your child to read for pleasure and the SOS spelling method. Free and open to parents and those who work with children, this workshop will take place in the Further Education and Training Centre Abbeyfeale on Wednesday, May 4 from 7.30-9.30pm. Contact Mary at West Limerick Resources on 087 9382883 for further information.
CAMOGIE FUNDRAISER: Limerick Camogie Board are holding a race night in The Woodlands Hotel, Adare on Thursday, April 28 @ 8pm. Mary McArthur, Cahir 087 637 7310 who is one of the Camogie mentors in Tournafulla is looking for sponsors for either horses, jockeys or trainers or races or indeed an advert in the race night programme.
SUE RYDER; It’s spring and here at Sue Ryder we are currently filling our rails with wonderful colours! So, if you are planning that early holiday or have a special occasion coming up, pop into our shop on |Main Street, Abbeyfeale and you just might find that special item!
This week we are introducing the Sue Ryder loyalty card. Ask us about it when you next visit us. We also have a sale on selected men’s shirts, priced at just €1!
A special thank you for all your generous donations to our shop. We accept clothing, shoes, bags, bed linen, curtains and bric a brac. Unfortunately we are unable to accept electrical items, duvets, pillows, broken toys and video tapes. Thank you again for your continued support.
LIMERICK LIFELONG LEARNING FESTIVAL: Attended the ‘Celebrating the Century’ event at the Adult Education Centre, Mountmahon and must commend all those who participated. It was an excellent display which took a lot of planning and hard work. There was drama, art, woodwork, stained glass, pottery as well as music, poetry and crafts all produced by people attending courses with the Adult Education Service. Well worth calling to see the exhibition which is still on display. Check out the Abbeyfeale Community Development Association FaceBook page for some pictures of the exhibition. Delighted too to see that the Old Tech is now being fully utilized with plenty of classes on offer.
VIKING BOXING CLUB: Training on Tuesday and Thursday nights in the old Flamingos with entrance next door to the back entrance of The Coffee Pot on Colbert Tce. Contact Noel 087 4360339. All age groups welcome.
INVITATION TO PILGRIMAGE: Bishop Brendan has issued an invitation to the people of the diocese to visit St. John’s Cathedral and walk through the Holy Door during this year of Mercy. The cathedral is open between 9am and 6.30pm each day and directions as to the prayers to be said to gain an indulgence can be found beside the Door which has a banner over it.
TELEPHONE SUPPORT: TeenLine is open 8pm-11pm every night. If you’ve had a bad day or need to talk to someone who will listen FreePhone 1800833634 or text Teen to 50015. Samaritans can be reached 24 hours a day, every day on 1850 609090.
LIMERICK SOCIAL SERVICES: A reminder that Limerick Social Service Council has an office in Abbeyfeale. There is a parent support worker available to any parent/family member or School who would like any support or guidance on any issue they may be having difficulty with. Information and details of supports available can also be accessed. This service is free and confidential to all in the County Limerick area. Any questions you can contact : Mary on 068-31019 / 0863514700 or call into the Parish office.
ABBEYFEALE PARENT & TODDLER GROUP: parent and toddler group meets every Tuesday and Thursday in St. Ita’s Hall form 11 – 12.30pm. New Mum’s, Dad’s and toddlers are always welcome.
RURAL EMPLOYMENT & EDUCATION SERVICE: Are you looking for some support and guidance to help you get back into training or back to work? The Rural Employment Service is a free, confidential service based in Newcastle West providing career guidance supports, CV and interview preparation supports and advice on training and education courses. Contact Finn (087 759 1951), Ivana (087 653 5156), Adrienne (087 277 3294), or like us on Facebook WLR Rural Employment Service for the latest updates on job vacancies and training courses.
AA: Narcotics Anonymous meet on Monday evenings in the parish office. AL Anon meet there every Tuesday evening and AA meet there on Wednesday afternoons at 3pm, Friday evenings at 8pm and Sunday mornings at 10am.
ABBEYFEALE PARISH CHURCH NOTES: Parish office 11-1pm Tuesday-Friday 068 31133. +Parish Support Worker 068/31019. Counselling Appointment 061/314213.Church 068/51915, Canon John O’Shea P.P.: Tel: 068 – 31157 : 087 – 9708282, Fr Joe Foley CC: Tel: 087 – 2618412. Masses: No morning Mass Monday, evening Mass at 7pm. . Mass Tuesday – Saturday at 10am except in the event of a funeral when Mass is 11am. Mass on Saturday 11am. Mass Intentions: Saturday 11am Sean O’Mahony, Meenkilly. 7pm William Quirke, Micheal, Paul and Hannah Quirke, Cahirlane. Sunday 9.30am Will Joe, Mary and Billy Collins, The Hill. Ita Leahy, Knockbrack. 12 noon Jerry Healy. Ann Romain Hillview Drive. Paddy O’Loughlin, Dromtrasna.
Church Webcam is now officially switeahyched on and broadcasting live. Almost anyone in the world can now view live broadcasts of events in Abbeyfeale parish church by logging onto www.churchservices.tv/abbeyfealeparish. A direct link from the parish website has been set up. You are asked to use car parking spaces in the Church car park before you start parking in the middle of the yard.
CHORAL CONCERTS IN KNOCK; On Saturday, May 14 three separate choirs with 120 members in total, leading operatic soloists and the RTE Concert Orchestra will come together in the newly renovated Basilica in Knock. The concert under the baton of David Brophy will include ‘The Armed Man: A Mass for Peace’ written by Welsh composer Karl Jenkins as well as a special piece for 1916 written by Patrick Cassidy, a Mayo man now based in Hollywood. Tickets 094 9388100 or see knockshrine.ie
WORLD YOUTH DAY PILGRIMS: The first gathering of World Youth Day Pilgrimage Group will take place on Saturday, April 30 in St. Joseph’s Parish Church from 5.30 – 7pm.
A MUSICAL EVENING: A concert in aid of Mid West Simon will include Community Performances by Limerick Gospel Choir and Glenstal Boys Choir at the Redemptorist Church, Limerick. Tickets €10, further information 061 608980.
HEALING OF SILENT MEMORIES: Ceremony for the naming of babies who have died as a result of stillbirth or sudden infant death. Church of the Immaculate Conception, NCW on Wednesday, April 27 at 8pm.
WOMEN OF THE WELL: Rejuvenate your spirit with a weekend retreat for women. Call Knock Shrine on 094 9388100.
HISTORY LECTURES: Listowel & District Historical Society presents ‘Ardfert Witnesses at the trial of Roger Casement’ on Wednesday April 27. All lectures take place at the Seanchaí Centre, Listowel and commence at 8 pm. For more information visit www.kerrywritersmuseum.com.
MAUREEN’S OFF TO CLONAKILTY: Make a note in your diary……Sunday, May 22. Clonakilty Model Railway Village. When you walk into this model village you are stepping back in time and will see life as it was in 1940’s. See the old West Cork Railway line portrayed in delightful miniature serving towns. The models and figures are handmade. Depicting busy market days this is a joyful discovery for both young and not so young alike. Relax in the unique tea room set on one of the authentic train carriages with a view of Clonakilty. We will have our usual breakfast and choice of dinner menu in Mallow. We have a number of names already as this is a very popular day trip. For more information and booking contact Maureen 087 9845102.
MUNSTER PARKINSON’S DISEASE CONFERENCE: There will be a conference in the Radisson Hotel, Ennis on Sunday, May 29 from 10.30am -4pm. To book a place ring 1800359359 before May 23.
VOLUNTEER IN AFRICA: Humanitarian Volunteers are looking for volunteers to travel to Kenya on June 26, 2016, for two weeks. No experience required and no age restrictions. Supervision provided. Volunteers will also visit the resting place of the Venerable Edel Quinn. Volunteers will pay their own costs. If you can assist teaching English, or assist with sports, games, arts, crafts or more, then you can make a real impact on the lives of the poorest. Contact Denis 086 8520271.
RALLY OF THE LAKES: Sean Moriarty says: “A new spectator friendly route is the key ingredient of this year’s Cartell.ie Rally of the Lakes that takes place in Killarney this weekend. All of the action, over 16 special stages takes place within 25km of the town, with the bulk of the action set for mid or east Kerry. Over 140 crews from all over Ireland and beyond are set to tackle the county’s biggest motorsport event.”
BURREN OUTDOOR RETREAT: Friday, May 6-8 during Burren in Bloom month. Booking Des Tully 085 1614951. See Burren Outdoor Retreat FB page.
LIMERICK WOODTURNERS SEMINAR: Limerick and District Chapter of The Irish Woodturning Guild celebrates the 25th anniversary of its founding in 1991. A seminar will be held in the Kilmurry Lodge Hotel on Saturday, May 14. Three leading exponents of the craft will give demonstrations on the day. Our own Liam Flynn from Abbeyfeale will showcase his unique sculptural Hollow Forms, his work can be found in Museums both here and abroad. Donal Ryan from Borrisoleigh will demonstrate functional and decorative gallery pieces and Christien Van Bussel – a potter and woodturner from Holland who now lives and teaches in Wicklow will demonstrate decorative techniques, carving and the application of vibrant colours. If you wish to attend contact Brendan on 0879181435 or email limerickwoodturners.com
MICHEAL COLLINS COMES HOME TO TOURNAFULLA: The May Bank Holiday promises to be a lively weekend in West Limerick with Traditional and Folk on offer in Abbeyfeale and Country and Irish in Tournafulla. Micheal Collins is celebrating 23 years on the road and he hardly looks a day older himself. He’ll be recording a DVD of his two concerts in Halla Tadgh Gaelach on Friday, April 29 and Saturday, April 30. Special guests include the pupils of Glengurt N.S., Louise Morrissey and Theresa O’Gorman. Tickets €20. Contact 069 81866.
DAY TRIP TO WATERFORD: On Bank Holiday Monday, May 2 next, a coach will depart from the Market Yard, Newcastle West at 8.30a.m. There will be a stop for Breakfast in Mitchelstown before continuing along via the very scenic Vee Gap in the Knockmealdown Mountains to the seaside town of Dungarvan. In the afternoon we will travel along the Coast Road for a few miles and then transfer from the coach to ‘shank’s mare’ and return to Dungarvan along the brand new Waterford Greenway. This route has been constructed by Waterford Council along an old railway route replete with viaducts and a tunnel; not to mention stunning views. A full four course evening meal will be provided before returning home. Booking is with Pat Condon, Upper Maiden St., Newcastle West 069 62344 (3-6pm preferably). The cost is €45 which includes breakfast, evening dinner and coach travel. Early booking is advisable and all monies must be received by Friday, April 22. Cheques should be made payable to "GREAT SOUTHERN TRAIL LTD." who are organising the tour. Beidh fáilte romhat.
DOMESTIC ABUSE GROUP FOR MEN WHO ARE BATTERED: AMEN is based in Navan at St. Anne’s Resource Centre, Railway St. and provides a helpline on 046 9023 718, Email: info@amen.ie
ADAPT: Support is available in Newcastle West each week and there is a new survivors group called ‘Let’s Talk’ which is open to women. A 24 Hour Freephone Helpline is available 365 days a year at 1800 200 504. Court accompaniment and many other services available.
KNOCK RE DEDICATION: A national rededication ceremony has been announced for Saturday, July 16 following the extensive refurbishment of the Basilica of Our Lady, Queen of Ireland, at Ireland’s National Marian Shrine, Knock, Co Mayo. The Basilica was officially opened on July 18, 1976, and has since become one of the most visited landmarks in Ireland, providing shelter to millions of pilgrims to Knock Shrine over its 40 year history. Over the last two years, the Basilica has been completely modernised as part of a major, renewal project at Knock Shrine, called Witness to Hope. One of Europe’s largest single flat pieces of mosaic has also been installed in the Basilica as part of the refurbishment. Cardinal Séan O’Malley, the Archbishop of Boston, will perform the official rededication ceremony at 3pm on Saturday, July 16. Cardinal O’Malley is leading a historic first-ever chartered pilgrimage from Boston to Knock for the rededication ceremony. Fr Richard Gibbons, PP, Rector of Knock Shrine, said everyone is welcome to the ceremony
CAMP VERITAS: Camp Veritas is a summer camp run for youth aged from 12 to 18 years old. It is about fun, faith and fellowship. There are lots of fun and sports activities planned over the week, but the main focus of the week is to bring the young people to the living presence of Jesus in the Most Blessed Sacrament and to deepen or awaken their faith. It is being run from June 26 -July 1 at Maynooth University, Co. Kildare, Ireland. The cost is €450 if paid online or cheque mailed to USA, Euro equivalent if cash or cheque in Ireland. More details – click ‘read more’ or see the groups Facebook page at www.facebook.com/Camp-Veritas
PILGRIMAGE TO HOLY LAND: Archbishop Eamon Martin will lead a Christian solidarity pilgrimage to the Holy Land from September 9 – 17 next on a direct flight from Dublin. It will be an opportunity to visit holy sites and walk in the footsteps of Jesus in Bethlehem, Nazareth, Galilee and Jerusalem. It will also be an opportunity to visit the tiny Christian community in the region known as ‘The Living Stones’. Price approx. €1,168 per person sharing. Call 01 8783111 for further details.
Abbeyfeale Gathering Festival 